Don't Tempt the Devil (1963)
"Les bonnes causes" (original title)

Paul Dupré meurt soudainement suite à une injection faite par son infirmière, Gina Bianchi. Gina a été la maîtresse de Dupré et est accusée de l'avoir tué quand on découvre un testament qui... See full summary »

Director:

Christian-Jaque

Writers:

Jean Laborde (novel), Paul Andréota,

Stars:

Marina Vlady, Bourvil, Virna Lisi

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marina Vlady	...	Catherine Dupré
Bourvil	...	Albert Gaudet
Virna Lisi	...	Gina Bianchi
Pierre Brasseur	...	Charles Cassidi
Umberto Orsini	...	Philliet
Mony Dalmès	...	Madame Marjorie
Jacques Monod	...	Le procureur Magnin
Jacques Mauclair	...	Georges Boisset
Jean-Loup Philippe	...	L'ami de Gina
Robert Vidalin	...	Le président
Gilbert Gil	...	Garat, un journaliste
Daniel Lecourtois	...	Un avocat
Mohamed Jamoussy
Hubert Noël	...	L'amant de Catherine
Hubert Deschamps	...	Dr. Mermet

Storyline

Paul Dupré meurt soudainement suite à une injection faite par son infirmière, Gina Bianchi. Gina a été la maîtresse de Dupré et est accusée de l'avoir tué quand on découvre un testament qui la nomme héritière de tous ses biens. Catherine est par conte la femme de Dupré et en m^me temps la maîtresse de Maître Cassidi, à qui elle avoue d'être l'auteur du crime. Il commence ainsi un duel judiciaire, dans lequel ce qui compte ne sont pas les faits, mais leur interprétation et l capacité des deux avocats. Ce sera la justice qui gagnera ou bine l'habileté dans la manipulation des évènements?

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Plot Keywords:

injection | nurse | interrogation | lawyer | cynicism | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

17 April 1963 (France)

Also Known As:

Don't Tempt the Devil

Filming Locations:

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Roissy-en-France, Val-d'Oise, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Flora Film, Mizar Films, Méditerrannée Cinéma Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

User Reviews

Witnesses for the prosecution.

French critics compare "les bonnes causes" to "winess for the prosecution" and of course they say it cannot hold a candle to it.They are wrong.Not that it might be better than Wilder's work,but it's downright different.Henri Jeanson's lines have not lost their bite ,particularly when he thrashes the légion d'honneur -it was not the first time- this award it's such a honor to get .

The main difference between Wilder's "witness" and Christian-Jaque 's "les bonnes causes lies in the fact that in the former,Wilder (and A.Christie,the writer) saved the biggest twist for the end whereas in the latter we know from the start (or almost) who the villains are(Pierre Brasseur at his most cynical,Marina Vlady at her bitchiest).Virna Lisi portrays a nurse,unfairly accused of murdering Vlady's husband.Bourvil ,in one of his rare dramatic parts is the good loyal judge and Umberto Orsini the dedicated lawyer.It seems that in his last worthwhile (and sadly) overlooked works (this film and "le repas des fauves" ) Christian-Jaque regained his bite and his pessimism which he had displayed before in "Boule de Suif" and "un revenant" ."Les bonnes causes" ,which displays black humor too could also be a spoof on André Cayatte's causes célèbres.